Oven

ABSTRACT

An oven comprising a main body having a cooking space and at least one sliding door attached to the main body that slides upwardly with respect to the main body wherein the sliding door is moveable between a closed position in which the cooking space is enclosed and an open position in which at least one passage way is formed between a front face of the door and the main body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an oven. In particular the invention relates to an oven that has a wood or charcoal fuel source and will be described in this context. However, it should be appreciated that the features of this oven may be applied to other types of ovens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercial kitchens use a variety of different ovens for the preparation of meals. One type of oven that has become popular is a charcoal broiler oven known as the Josper® oven. This charcoal broil oven is a fully enclosed oven and is fired entirely with charcoal. The Josper® oven is popular as it provides the features of an enclosed oven with the traditional characteristics of char grilled cooking. The oven is able to maintain high temperatures for extended periods of time using the charcoal which also helps to influence and enhance the flavour profile of food being cooked within the oven.

The Josper® oven has a hinged door that opens at the front. Charcoal is located in the base of the oven below a series of racks. As stated above, the burning charcoal provides the heat source for the oven. The operating temperature of the oven is often above 300 degrees Celsius allowing food to be cooked quickly and enabling a high throughput of food through the oven.

One issue with the Josper® oven is the high temperature of the oven which is created by the charcoal fuel source. As there is a high throughput of food through the Josper® oven, the front door must be opened frequently. Whenever the front door is opened, a user is hit in the face with hot air that is pulled from the oven by opening the oven door. Smoke often accompanies the hot air which can choke and blind a user. Accordingly, users cannot operate the Josper® oven for extended periods of time without considerable discomfort.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome and or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in an oven comprising;

a main body having a cooking space; and

at least one sliding door attached to the main body that slides upwardly with respect to the main body;

wherein the sliding door is moveable between a closed position in which the cooking space is enclosed and an open position in which at least one passage way is formed between a front face of the door and the main body.

Typically there is a single door. However, there may be two doors located at opposite ends of the main body.

The main body may include two side walls which are interconnected by a top wall and a base. The main body may have a rear wall which interconnects the two side walls, top wall and bottom wall when there is a single door. However, when there are two doors a rear wall is not present.

The main body may include a series of racks, trays and or grills that extend across the cooking space. The racks, grills and or trays may be supported by the side walls of the main body.

A pit may be located in a lower portion of the cooking space. The pit may be lined with ceramics. The pit is typically located below the door when the door is in the closed position.

A flue may extend through the main body into the cooking space. The flue typically extends through the top wall of the main body.

A stand may be used to support the main body. The stand may include a storage space for cooking articles. The stand may include one or more wheels. The stand may include one or more legs.

The sliding door may slide substantially vertically. A handle may be attached to the sliding door for this purpose. A lifting mechanism may be connected to the door to assist in lifting the door. The lifting mechanism may include one or more counterweights for assisting in the lifting of the door.

The sliding door may include a guide mechanism to ensure that the door slides upwardly. The guide mechanism may include one or more guide members that are attached to the sliding door. Typically there are two guide members attached to respective sides of the sliding door. The guide members may be in the form of guide plates.

The guide mechanism is typically connected to the lifting mechanism. Typically the one or more guide members are connected to one or more counterweights.

A synchronisation mechanism typically links the two or more guide members so that the guide members move in unison. The synchronisation mechanism typically includes at least two gears which are rotated simultaneously and engage with the respective guide members. Typically the two gears are mounted on a shaft that extends through the main body or stand. Each of the gears may engage with a rack that forms part of each guide member.

At least one cavity may be formed in the rear of the sliding door. The number of cavities is normally the same as the number of passageways. Normally there is only a single cavity. The cavity may form the passageway when the sliding door is in an open position.

A seal may be located on the main body around the enclosed space, the seal engaging with the sliding door when the sliding door is in the closed position.

Further forms and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanied figures in which,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oven with the door in a closed position accordingly to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an oven with the door in an open position accordingly to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is sectional view of an oven with the door in an open position accordingly to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an oven showing details of the lifting mechanism, guide mechanism and synchronization mechanism;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the sliding door with the associated lifting mechanism, guide mechanism and synchronization mechanism in a closed position.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a side door with associated lifting mechanism, guide mechanism and synchronization mechanism in an open position;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the oven with the sliding door in a closed position;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the oven with a door in a partially open position; and

FIG. 6C is a sectional view of an oven with the sliding door in a fully open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an oven 10 that is able to be fueled by an organic fuel source such as charcoal or wood. The oven 10 is formed from a main body 20, sliding door 30 and stand 40.

The main body 20 is formed from two side walls 21, a rear wall 22, a top wall 23 and a base 24. The side walls 21, rear wall 22, top wall 23, and base 24 are connected to form a cooking space 25 located within the main body 20. The side walls 21, rear wall 22, top wall 23 and base 24 are all insulated so the exterior of the side walls 21, rear wall 22, top wall 23 and base 24 are able to be touched without a user suffering significant burns.

A pit 26 is located within the cooking space 25 adjacent the base 24 of the main body 20. The pit 26 is lined with ceramic tiles 27. A series of cooking grates 28 are positioned above the pit 26 with the cooking grates 28 being supported by the side walls 21.

A flue 50 extends through the top wall 23 of the main body 20 to assist in controlling the temperature within the cooking space 25. A flue valve 51 is located within the flue 50 which can be moved several positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position. A valve handle 52 is connected to the flue valve 51 for this purpose. A flue surround 53 surrounds the flue 50. A flue slot 54 that includes a series of notches 55 extends through the flue surround 50. The flue handle 52 extends through the flue slot 53 and can be located within the notches 55 to hold the flue valve 51 at predetermined positions

The stand 40 is used to support the main body 20 at a desired height. The stand 40 is formed from a frame 41 within which is mounted a sliding draw 42 which is to store cooking articles or fuel. Two adjustable legs 44 and two wheels 45 are located below the base of the frame.

The door 30 is located at the front of the main body 20 and is used to enclose the cooking space 25. The door 30 includes a door panel 31 that is insulated in the same manner as the side walls 21, rear wall 22, top wall 23 and base 24. A cavity 32 is located within the door panel 31 behind a front face of the door panel 31. A lip 33 is formed around the external edge of the door panel 31. A seal 29 is formed around the side walls and top wall of the main body adjacent the door panel 31. A handle 34 extends outwardly from the door panel 31.

A guide mechanism 60, shown in more detail in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B is connected to the door panel to allow the door panel 31 to be lifted vertically. The guide mechanism 60 includes two guide plates 61 which are connected to respective sides of door panel 31. A guide slot 62 which extend substantially the length of each of the guide plates 61. Rollers 63 are attached to the main body 20 and stand 40 to guide the guide plates 61 when the door panel 31 is moved between an open position and a closed position.

A lifting mechanism 70 is connected to the door panel 31 via the guide mechanism 60 to make the door easier to open and close. The lifting mechanism 70 includes a counter weight 71 located on each side of the main body 20 and stand 30. The counter weights 71 are located within respective tracks 72 that allow the counter weights 71 to move upwardly and downwardly as is required. Primary cables 73 are attached to a centre of the top of counter weights 71 and to a bottom of the guide plates 61 via counter weight rollers 74. Safety cables 75 are also attached is to a bottom of the guide plates 61 and to an offset position of the top of the counter weights 71. Retainers 76 are located adjacent respective counter weight rollers 74 to keep the primary cables 73 and safety cables 75 within the counter weight rollers 74.

In normal use, the primary cables 73 are taut whilst the safety cables 75 are slack. If primary cable 73 breaks, then the associated safety cable 75 becomes taut as it now supports the counter weight 71. As the safety cable 75 is attached to the counter weight 71 in an offset position, the counter weight 71 will become skewed within its respective tracks 72. Accordingly, the counter weight 71 act as a brake until the primary cable 75 is replaced.

A synchronization mechanism 80 ensures that each side of the door panel 31 and associated guide plates 61 are moved together in use. That is, when the door panel 31 is opened or closed, the door panel 31 will move smoothly without becoming skewed. The synchronization mechanism 80 includes a rack 81 which is mounted to each of the guide plates 31. A shaft 82 extends through the stand 40 and has associated gears 83 (in the form of pinions) which interconnect with respective racks 81. Accordingly when the door is moved either upwardly or downwardly, the guide plates 61 must move together as they are interconnected via the racks 81, gears 83 and shaft 82.

The side covers 90 are used to cover the guide mechanism 60, lifting mechanism 70 and synchronization mechanism 80. The side covers also cover the main body 20 and stand 40.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show the operation of the sliding door 30. When sliding door 30 is in the closed position, the door panel 31 engages with the seals 29 located around the main body 20 adjacent the cooking space 25 as shown in FIG. 6A. This ensures that no hot air escapes between the main body 20 and the door panel 31. When the door panel 31 is lifted, the cavity 32 located within the door panel 31 provides a passage way 35 that is located between the door panel 31 and the seals 29. The upward movement of the door panel 31 pulls air upwardly and causes hot air from within the cooking space 25 to pass through the passage way 25 as shown in FIG. 6B. This passageway 35 thereby reduces the amount of hot air flowing out of the cooking space 25 past the door panel 31 and into the face of a user. The passageway 35 continues to allow hot air to pass through the passageway 35 when the door panel is in a fully open position as shown in FIG. 6C. The passageway acts as a type of chimney.

The oven described above provides a user with a high temperature and high throughput oven that can be operated in a commercial environment without substantial discomfort to the user.

In this specification, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 

1. An oven comprising; a main body having a cooking space; and at least one sliding door attached to the main body that slides upwardly with respect to the main body; wherein the sliding door is moveable between a closed position in which the cooking space is enclosed and an open position in which at least one passage way is formed between a front face of the door and the main body.
 2. The oven of claim 1 wherein there is a single sliding door.
 3. The oven of claim 1 wherein a pit is located in a lower portion of the cooking space.
 4. The oven of claim 3 wherein the pit typically located below the door when the door is in the closed position.
 5. The oven of claim 4 wherein a flue extends through the main body into the cooking space.
 6. The oven of claim 1 wherein the sliding door slides substantially vertically.
 7. The oven of claim 6 wherein at least one cavity is formed in the rear of the sliding door.
 8. The oven of claim 7 wherein the at least one cavity form the at least one passageway when the sliding door is an open position.
 9. The oven of claim 1 wherein a lifting mechanism is connected to the door to assist in lifting the door.
 10. The oven of claim 9 wherein the lifting mechanism includes one or more counterweights for assisting in the lifting of the door.
 11. The oven of claim 10 wherein the sliding door includes a guide mechanism to ensure that the door slides upwardly.
 12. The oven of claim 11 wherein the guide mechanism includes one or more guide members that are attached to the sliding door.
 13. The oven of claim 12 wherein there are two guide members attached to respective sides of the sliding door.
 14. The oven of claim 12 wherein the guide members are in the form of guide plates.
 15. The oven of claim 12 wherein the guide mechanism is connected to the lifting mechanism.
 16. The oven of claim 12 wherein the one or more guide members are connected to one or more counterweights.
 17. The oven of claims 12 wherein a synchronisation mechanism links the two or more guide members so that the guide members move in unison.
 18. The oven of claim 17 wherein the synchronisation mechanism typically includes at least two gears which are rotated simultaneously and engage with the respective guide members.
 19. The oven of claim 18 wherein the two gears are mounted on a shaft that extends through the main body.
 20. The oven of claim 19 wherein each of the gears may engage with a rack that forms part of each guide member.
 21. The oven of claim 8 wherein a seal is located on the main body around the cooking space, the seal engaging with the sliding door when the sliding door is in the closed position. 